Funds available for agricultural marketing

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico agribusinesses are invited to apply to New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) for matching grant funds to help them market, transport, and distribute their products domestically and internationally.

The funding comes from USDA's Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). NMDA serves as the fiscal agent for the federal funds.

"FSMIP funds are intended to help agribusinesses and farmer and rancher groups tackle logistical problems that can sometimes keep products from getting to market," said Craig Mapel, NMDA marketing specialist who administers FSMIP in New Mexico. "An example is a project that surveyed cattle ranchers and customers (for example, grocery stores and restaurants) and used that information to set up a local beef program."

According to USDA, projects "must address the needs of multiple producers or agribusinesses at the state, multistate, or national level while focusing on marketing challenges or opportunities within the direct, wholesale, or retail segments of the agricultural marketing chain."